Ongwediva: The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) has raised over N.dollars 1.6 million during a fundraising gala dinner held on Saturday in Ongwediva.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the highest pledges were placed by First National Bank of Namibia with an amount of N.dollars 399 999.99, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) with N.dollars 350 000, and Nedbank contributing N.dollars 150 000. Speaking during the event, Managing Director of Nedbank Namibia Martha Murorua remarked on the significance of the OATF as a symbol of economic possibility and diversification, emphasizing the importance of channeling economic energy across Namibia.
Murorua highlighted that the fair represents success when society’s sectors unify for a common goal. She encouraged the reimagining of towns like Ongwediva and others across Namibia to foster economic growth, stressing the need for strong collaboration between public and private sectors to achieve this vision.
Chairperson of the OATF Society, Rebekka Hidulika, noted the expo’s growth, with over 1,500 exhibitor applications received annually, up from fewer than 100 in its early years. This growth signals a need to upgrade infrastructure, as current facilities can only accommodate 485 exhibitors, resulting in the annual rejection of over 500 applications.
For this year’s edition, Hidulika plans to host around 480 exhibitors, welcoming delegations from the SADC region and countries such as Ghana, Japan, and Indonesia. Among the innovations for this year, the OATF will extend its Business Forum to two full days, featuring business-to-business matchmaking sessions and a high-level business delegation from South Africa’s Limpopo Province. The trade fair is scheduled to take place from 22-30 August 2025.